Problems w/Condar digital CAT probe?

Has anyone had problems with a Condar digital CAT temp. probe? I loaded up the insert tonight and waited and waited and waited for the CAT temp reading to start climbing but it never did. The readout read COOL for 35-40 mins. I looked up into the stove at the CAT and it was glowing kind of a dull orange. I decided to close the bypass and immediately it lit off a bright orange. The reading still read COOL. I just changed the battery two nights ago because it was kind of acting funny. I changed the battery again tonight, as I picked up the meter it flashed between 350 and 500. I finally got it to settle in but still after 10-15mins. it was only reading 850. Usually about this time it's cruising around 1100+. Has anyone else experienced this with their Condar? It's a new unit, I just installed it earlier this year and it's probably got less than 300hrs of burn time.

mellow said:

I would pull out the thermocouple and test it, might already be toast or the wire is acting up. You can test the thermocouple by putting it over an open flame or by putting it in your oven and setting the temp at 350 and see what it says.

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Thanks Mellow. I'll give that a try when the weather warms up a bit. The probe is pretty tough getting in/out due to opening size so it'll take a little work. I was kind of looking at the Auder T100 w/AC power instead of battery. I was reading a thread on here the other day about using those instead of the Condar. Not sure which probe they ended up using though.

mellow said:

I have had the Auber 100 for a couple years now and love it, I have it plugged into my UPS backup battery so if we lose power I will still get a beeping alarm if it goes past the set temperature, something the condar doesn't do. I was trying to measure the temps on front of the cat and that just didn't work, since you are measuring the downstream temps you can use your existing condar probe, I bought one and it works with the Auber, you just need an interface plug. Anyway, downstream measuring should work fine with the Auber.

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Yea, I think it might of been you that originally posted the thread I was referring to (maybe you were just part of the discussion, can't remember.) The Auber is pretty appealing, I really like the audible alert AND the AC power. I'm really beginning to hate batteries! I'm not so sure my Condar probe is working right at this point. If not, I'm pretty disappointed with it. I just installed it earlier this year and really haven't burned that much. If it wasn't such a royal PITA to take out/put in maybe it wouldn't bother me so much.

What probe are you using? I found one on their website that said it was rated for 2000deg. but it's a larger diameter than the Condar so I would have to pull my insert and re-drill the hole.......NOT AT ALL SOMETHING I WANT TO DO!